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Tummy Tuck - Abdominoplasty by Dr. Douglas Mackenzie in Santa Barbara
Dramatic weight gain or loss, pregnancy, age, or genetics can lead to a concentration of fat and skin around the abdomen, which can cause both physical discomfort and uneasiness about the appearance of the body. Diet and exercise often have little impact on this, for a couple reasons. Although diet and exercise are extremely important, they don't tighten loose skin, and for women who have had children, there is often a diastasis (looseness of the central abdominal wall) that won't narrow even by toning the muscles. With the tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, procedure offered at our Santa Barbara office, you can significantly improve the contour of your abdomen and torso. Sometimes people can also benefit from improvement of chronic back pain owing to the tightening of the abominal wall, the removal of the excess weight of tissue, and an improved ability to exercise. If you have an abdominal hernia, incisional hernia, or umbilical hernia, Dr. Mackenzie can also take care of it at the same time as the abdominoplasty.
The abdominoplasty procedure requires Dr. Mackenzie to make an incision extending from hip to hip. Working from this incision, the surgeon lifts the skin and fat layer to reveal the underlying abdominal muscles. He tightens the abdominal wall (muscle layer) together and stretches the skin back over the new, firmer muscle, removing excess skin and fat. The umbilicus (belly button) is sutured, and a compression garment is placed over the dressings. Sometimes some liposuction is also done to complement the tummy tuck procedure.
In cases where fat and loose skin is concentrated in the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be the best option which may allow a smaller incision. In this procedure at our Santa Barbara practice, we also use liposuction in most mini tummy tucks.
While the tummy tuck will result in some scarring, the surgeon will make sure that this scarring is as inconspicuous as possible. Directly following the procedure, patients can expect to experience some pain, soreness, swelling, or bruising around the abdomen. People who undergo the tummy tuck procedure at our Santa Barbara practice enjoy seeing their new contours develop as the swelling fades, and many experience a boost of self-confidence as they get used to their new, leaner shape.
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If you are interested in the tummy tuck procedure offered at our Santa Barbara office, and meeting our Santa Barbara plastic surgeon, contact us today for information on abdominoplasty and a complimentary consultation .
